Identifying Coastal and Submerged Cultural Heritage on the Alaska Outer Continental Shelf

To support BOEM's mission and protect historic and cultural resources in marine waters where offshore development projects could be proposed, this project was undertaken to identify and document the breadth of known historical and cultural resources for the Alaska outer continental shelf. The project began by updating a decades-old shipwreck database developed by BOEM. This study expands the database to include lost and submerged aircraft, coastal sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places, models of submerged paleo landforms, and the potential to preserve precontact sites on the formerly exposed landmass of the outer continental shelf. Updates also include potentially significant historic and cultural resources identified from marine geophysical surveys previously conducted. The project includes all federal waters in Alaska from the Exclusive Economic Zone to its boundary with state waters and adjacent coastal areas. Outcomes include a project planning and data management tool for BOEM’s environmental assessment work and a starting point for meaningful dialogue with coastal communities about historic resources and areas of cultural importance. Results have been circulated to tribal, city, and corporation leaders for review and discussion about where communities may want to be engaged in guiding future research and resource protection. A digital Story Map will be developed to share non-sensitive information and stories of history and cultural heritage in Alaska with interested partners and members of the public.

USD: $423,946

2021-08-31 → 2024-01-31